| We understand that your first
involvement with the CWPA can be overwhelming with the number of things
you need to know. That is why we have prepared this helpful guide for you
to use. It will aid you in navigating your responsibilities with the CWPA
and should increase your overall enjoyment with our organization. In this
guide we have explained key areas you will be dealing with on a regular
basis. Hopefully after taking this brief tutorial, you will feel more comfortable
and understand your membership requirements. If
at any time you are confused about any of these issues, please feel free
to contact our office and speak to any of our staff. We are here to assist
you!
Frequently Asked Questions for New Coaches
What are the benefits of joining the CWPA?
Where can I find league information?
Where should I submit my contact information when it changes?
How do I know who will be officiating my games?
What are my responsibilities when our team hosts?
How does the league determine where we play?
How is the competition structured?
Who determines league policies?
When and where are meetings?
Who governs the league?
What forms do I need to complete?
Where do my fees go?
When are my fees due?
What are the benefits of joining the CWPA?
The CWPA affords you many benefits with membership. For just one
fee, you receive a complete schedule for the season, including the training
and assignment of officials. The CWPA also reserves hotel rooms for your
team at each site. At the beginning of each season, every member of your
team receives an NCAA Rules Book and a league program. All host teams
receive two free balls, plus score sheets. Likewise, your athletes are
eligible to receive additional awards through the All-Conference and All-Academic
team selections. Lastly, every member school is part of an organization
that provides administrative support and the opportunity to qualify for
a National Championship.
Where can I find league information?
The web site is an incredible tool if you use it. However, many people
feel intimidated by the vast amount of information available and are unsure
where to find what they need. As a contact for your program, we want you
to be able to access information quickly and efficiently. While the entire
site provides useful information for you to review, the areas listed below
focus on the primary subjects affecting you on a regular basis.
Coaching Resource Information
General Information
Where should I submit my contact information when
it changes?
The School Profile section lists contact
information for your program. This information is accessed not only by
our staff, but other coaches and potential recruits as well. Please ensure
that your information is up to date at all times. You may submit new information
on line by completing the appropriate form.
How do I know who will be officiating my games?
You can determine which referees are assigned to your games by clicking
on the Officiating section and then on
Officiating Assignments. Likewise, you
can submit an online evaluation of these officials
using a form in the same section.
What are my responsibilities when our team hosts?
The section under Coaching Resource Information
titled Host Requirements outlines your responsibilities
when hosting a conference event at your site. In summary, the CWPA takes
care of assigning, housing, and feeding the referees, as well as arranging
for their transportation. The CWPA also books a hotel for the incoming
teams and takes care of scheduling all of the games. The host is responsible
for any costs associated with the facility and providing three game balls
for the competition. The host is also responsible for providing three
trained desk personnel for each game. Training manuals for these individuals
can be found on the web site under Coaching Resources/Host Requirements.
Balls can be purchased from one of our vendors listed under equipment
and resources. All competition is required to use the Arena ball.
How does the league determine where we play?
The tournament site selection for each division is determined by the membership.
However, 95% of the membership utilizes a rotation that offers every school
the opportunity to host a league event. Teams may decline their turn to
host, in which case the bid is awarded to the next team in the rotation
or to the other team involved in the game. If the institution agrees to
host, the team contact must get a Pool Reservation
Form completed, listing the hours the pool is available during the
date selected. Teams must request sufficient pool time to cover the number
of games to be played. For specific hours required, contact the office
or review last year’s schedule on the web site for an approximate
guide.
How is the competition structured?
The competitive formats used within the league structure have been approved
by the membership for both the championships and the regular season tournaments.
The number of teams in your division will determine exactly how the competition
will be organized. Every team is guaranteed four games during a regular
season weekend, with an additional two to four during their championship.
A few divisions have chosen to compete using just one regular season event,
followed by a championship. However, the vast majority of divisions conduct
two tournaments during the regular season, ending with their division
championship on the third weekend. Varsity teams also play a portion of
their games outside of a tournament environment and their schedules are
set up accordingly.
Who determines league policies?
The biggest misconception by member teams lies in this area. All policies
are determined by the membership, not the CWPA office staff. The staff
simply implements what the membership has approved. Each year any member
may submit a proposal to the office to either establish a new rule or
policy or change one already in existence. The deadline for submission
is November 1st. Forms are available by clicking on Administration/Rules
and Policies.
When and where are meetings?
To perform the business of the organization, club teams conduct an annual
meeting by division via a conference call, while the varsity programs
must attend their annual meeting in person, held the second Monday in
December. All of the club teams have the opportunity to have a representative
on their annual meeting conference call and they are also welcome to attend
the annual meeting in December. The schedule for the conference calls
is posted on the web site and distributed on email. During this call,
proposals are discussed and schedules are determined for the upcoming
season, along with a review of any league issues. Each institution receives
one vote on any issue.
Who governs the league?
Regarding issues that arise between calls, the CWPA is governed by a Board
of Directors, elected by the member teams. These individuals are empowered
to make policy judgments between meetings. In all other cases, the league
membership has approved a set of Bylaws and policies
that govern the conduct of the league.
What forms do I need to complete?
A variety of forms should be completed each season and are described below.
You should check on the Coaches Calendar,
found under Coaching Resources, to determine
when the various forms are due.
All-Conference Nominations
Teams submit their top five players and a goalie to the office. The office
then distributes these rankings to other coaches as a helpful guide for
voting during the All-Conference balloting.
All-Conference Ballots
Each year every division elects an all-conference team, selecting the
top 14 athletes within the division. Every athlete receives a certificate
and the top seven receive suits. Your responsibility is to rank the top
players from your own team and submit this ranking to the office by the
deadline on the Coaches Calendar. A
compilation of each team’s rankings is then returned to you to be
used as a guide when voting for the All-Conference Team.
Participation Contract
All club teams must have their club supervisor complete a Participation
Contract before the deadline each season in order to be eligible for
competition. This form outlines the fact that if you agree to be in the
league, you must attend and compete in all of your games. Failure to do
so will result in a no-contest, which will mean suspension of your team
from the membership for both the current season and the one to follow.
In addition, all league fees are required, regardless of the number of
games completed.
Pool Reservation Form
All club teams hosting league games must complete this form,
which not only confirms the dates reserved, but provides the hours available.
Once the hours are known the schedule can be created.
School Profile Information
Click on School Profiles and then on the
appropriate link to update your information whenever it changes.
League Program Information
The CWPA prints a league program at the beginning of each season featuring
rosters, schedules, and profiles about each team. You must send in this
information by the due date to ensure your team has the appropriate information
included in the program. Forms are available
on the web site.
Hotel Feedback Form
This form provides the office with
useful feedback about the properties you stay at during the season.
Comments & Feedback
This form provides you with an opportunity
to provide the league feedback and should be completed at the close of
every season.
Referee Evaluation Form
All referees may be evaluated after every game by individuals representing
their institutions. The form is available under
Officiating Information.
Where do my fees go?
The CWPA is a non-profit organization that serves at the request of the
membership. Consequently, the costs are determined by the services provided
to the member teams, according to what the membership has deemed appropriate.
Fees vary according to the number of tournaments played within the division
and are listed on the web site. Entry fees for the National Championship
are not included in league fees since all teams do not participate at
the event. A complete breakdown of our financial statements is available
on line as well under the General Information/Administration/Financial
Information link.
When are my fees due?
The CWPA will invoice you before the season begins and all fees are due
before the season ends.
|
